22-year-old arrested for Attempted Murder

On Sunday, August 7, 2005, at 1:55 a.m., Portland Police responded to a “shots fired” call in the parking lot on the Southeast corner of Southwest First Avenue and Southwest Yamhill Street. Officers arrived and contacted several citizens willing to cooperate with the investigation and provide the officers descriptions of both the suspects and their vehicles. As officers were receiving the information, a Central Precinct Sergeant saw one of the suspect vehicles leaving the area. Several additional officers converged on the car, detained the three occupants, including 22 year-old Nathan Leon Howard, and recovered one handgun. The Gang Resistance Reduction Unit (GVRT) was called to the scene to conduct an investigation.

After interviewing the suspects and witnesses, Howard was charged with one count of Attempted Murder and one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Investigators believe that at least one other person was involved in the exchange of gunfire. For investigative reasons, additional suspect information is being withheld at this time. Detectives have not located anyone hurt in the shooting and they are seeking information from anyone who did not remain at the scene and provide witness information. Anyone with information is asked to call the Tactical Operations Division at (503) 823-0406.